My Wines

My Cellar

Forest Hill is Western Australia’s oldest cool-climate vineyard. Forest Hill is a proud family-owned boutique winery creating exciting wines of the highest quality. Each is made to be a true reflection of the premium Western Australian grape-growing region of Mt Barker in the State’s Great Southern expressing unique regional and varietal characters combined with finesse, elegance and definition... Read more

Forest Hill is Western Australia’s oldest cool-climate vineyard. Forest Hill is a proud family-owned boutique winery creating exciting wines of the highest quality. Each is made to be a true reflection of the premium Western Australian grape-growing region of Mt Barker in the State’s Great Southern expressing unique regional and varietal characters combined with finesse, elegance and definition.
In 1955 the West Australian Government invited Professor Harold Olmo from the University of California, Davis Campus to identify the most ideal growing location in the State for the production of premium cool climate wines. As a result, in 1965 the Forest Hill property, owned by Betty and Tony Pearse, was selected and the first experimental plantings were made by the Department of Agriculture. Two hectares of Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon were planted on this small, elevated plot in an apple orchard.
Planted in 1965 this makes Forest Hill, Western Australia’s oldest cool-climate vineyard with the Riesling and Cabernet vines being the oldest in the state. Over time new varieties of Shiraz, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Gwertztramminer, have been added. As the vineyard was without a winery, in the early days fruit was processed at Houghton’s Winery in the Swan Valley.
In 1989 the late Robert Holmes à Court purchased Forest Hill as an ultra premium boutique brand to complement Vasse Felix. Over time the reputation of the Great Southern region and Forest Hill vineyard grew for the outstanding wines being produced. Forest Hill began to be recognised as a producer of high quality fruit and significant in the production of some of the State’s most famous wines. The 1975 Riesling won 12 gold medals and nine trophies.
In 1996, The Lyons family, acquired Forest Hill. With a passion for cool climate wines and the industry at large, Tim Lyons has ensured the oldest Blocks are extremely well nurtured and yielding the best fruit parcels possible. Tim respects this unique resource and is adamant that that the unirrigated oldest blocks will remain low yielding to ensure maximum fruit quality, full intensity of flavour and retain strong regional distinction. Today the Forest Hill vineyard consists of over 80 hectares under vine, producing premium quality grapes and the emphasis on quality continues. Read less